Transcript for First Lady 'Outraged' and 'Heartbroken' Over Nigerian Girls' Kidnappings

Hello everyone I'm Michelle Obama. And on this Mother's Day weekend. I wanna take a moment to honor all the mothers -- -- and wish you happy Mother's Day. I also want to speak to you about an issue of great significance to me its First Lady and more importantly. As the mother of two young daughters. Like millions of people across the globe my husband and I are outraged. And heartbroken. Over the kidnapping -- more than 200 Nigerian girls from their school dormitory. In the middle of the night. This unconscionable. Act was committed by a terrorist group determined to keep these girls from getting an education. Grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls. And I want you to know that Iraq has directed our government to do everything possible. To support the Nigerian government's efforts to find these girls and bring them home. In these girls Barack and -- see our own daughters. We see their hopes and their dreams. And we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now. Many of them may have been hesitant to send their daughters off to school fearing. That harm might come their way. But they took that risk because they believed in their -- promise. And wanted to give them every opportunity to succeed. The girls themselves also knew full well the dangers they might encounter. -- school had recently been closed due to terrorist threats. But these girls still insisted on returning to take their exams. They were so determined to. Move to the next level of their education so determined to one day build careers of their own and make their families and communities -- And what happened in Nigeria was not an isolated incident. It is a story -- -- every day. As girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions. It's the story of girls like Milan like you stepped aside from Pakistan. -- spoke out for girls' education in her community. And as a result she was shot in the head by -- Taliban gunmen. While on a school bus with her classmates. But fortunately -- -- -- survived. And when I met her last year I could feel her passion and determination. As she told me that girls' education. Is still her life's mission. Asthma lawless said in her address to the United Nations. She said the terrorist thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions. But nothing changed in my life except us. Weakness fear and hopelessness and died. Strength power and courage. Was born. The courage and hope. Embodied by -- -- and girls like her around the world should serve as a -- -- action. Because right now more than 65 million girls worldwide. Are not in school. Did we know that girls who were educated and make higher wages. Lead healthier lives and have healthier families. And when more girls attends secondary school that boosts their country's entire economy. So education is truly a girl's best chance for bright future not just for herself. But for her family and her nation. And that's true right here in the US as well. So I hope the story of these Nigerian girls will serve. As an inspiration for every girl and boy in this country. I hope that any young people in America who take school for granted. Any young people who are slacking off or thinking about dropping out. I hope they will learn the story of these girls. And recommit themselves to their education. These girls and body the best hope for the future of our world. And we are committed to standing up for them not just in times of tragedy or crisis. But for the long haul. We are committed. To giving them the opportunities they deserve to fulfill every last bit of their god given potential. So today. Let us all pray for their safe return. Let us hold their families and our hearts. During this very difficult time. And let -- show just a fraction. Of their courage. In fighting to give every girl on this planet the education that is her -- right. Thank you.

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